DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Mac Jones vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Mac Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.8 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Mac Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Mac Jones edges Shedeur Sanders by 1.2 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Mac Jones goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Mac Jones and Shedeur Sanders in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
QBSan Francisco 49ers#33PPG LEADER
Mac Jones
PPG
11.8
Games
11
Pass Yds
2,151
Pass TDs
13
Bye
Week 8
QBCleveland Browns#40
Shedeur Sanders
PPG
10.6
Games
8
Pass Yds
1,400
Pass TDs
7
Rush Yds
169
Rush TDs
1
Bye
Week 11

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Mac Jones
Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

11.8 PPG10.6 PPG
11 GP8 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Mac Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) QB (ranked #33 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Mac Jones is producing at 54% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means Mac Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Mac Jones vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Mac Jones and Shedeur Sanders is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those quarterback decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Mac Jones averaged 11.8 PPG with the San Francisco 49ers across 11 games, and Shedeur Sanders posted 10.6 with the Cleveland Browns in 8.

When two quarterbacks are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Mac Jones threw for 2151 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Shedeur Sanders posted 1400 yards and 7 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Mac Jones has his bye in Week 8, and Shedeur Sanders rests in Week 11. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at quarterback for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Mac Jones (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Shedeur Sanders (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

  • Mac Jones outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 20 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Mac Jones played 11 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders's 8. That durability gap means Mac Jones contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Mac Jones scored 13 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Mac Jones vs Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatMac JonesShedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)11.810.6
Games Played118
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)13085
Passing Yards2,1511,400
Passing TDs137
Pass Yds/Game195.5175.0
Rushing Yards60169
Rushing TDs01
Total TDs138
TDs/Game1.21.0
Age2724
Experience4 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Mac Jones holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.8 points per game. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Mac Jones vs Shedeur Sanders

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Mac Jones vs Shedeur Sanders

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Mac Jones or Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Mac Jones has the edge at 11.8 PPG compared to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Mac Jones and Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?

Mac Jones averaged 11.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 1.2 points per game.

When are Mac Jones and Shedeur Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?

Mac Jones (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Shedeur Sanders (CLE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Mac Jones or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?

Mac Jones outscored Shedeur Sanders by 1.2 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.

Fantasy Managers Also Compared

Similar matchups other managers are researching right now.